Protesters Take To Streets Across Iraq

[rocketman2010]

Protesters Take To Streets Across Iraq

English Map Iraq

February 10, 2011 A series of protests were held across Iraq today with demonstrators demanding better social services, stable food prices, and investigations into corruption cases, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq (RFI) reports.

Protests of various sizes were held in Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Karbala, Najaf, Diwaniyah, Kut, Ramadi, Samawah, and Amara. Members of the Iraqi union of lawyers joined demonstrations in Baghdad, Karbala, and Samawah.

In Karbala, protesters demanded an improvement in basic municipal services and an investigation into the local government's weak response to previous demands made by protesting citizens.

Waiq al-Shammari, head of the Karbala lawyers association, told RFI that "unemployment, corruption, and crime are plaguing the body of the Iraqi society and the government and responsible authorities should address these problems."

The placard of a protester in Karbala read: "We have nothing, we need everything. Solution: set ourselves on fire."

Journalist Hassun Digger told RFI that events taking place in various parts of Iraq are a "logical extension of similar demonstrations in Arab countries." He said "the impact of those events will be reflected by the political agenda in the upcoming elections [in Iraq]," adding that Iraqis will not vote for the "same faces in the government."

In Samawah, social demands were combined with protests against widespread corruption and the slow legislative process in parliament, which they said prevents the timely introduction of new policies.

In Najaf, protesters from the agricultural area of Mishkhat demanded greater state assistance be given to farmers, the resignation of the head of the local government, and an investigation into the funding of reconstruction projects.

Several also complained about inadequate government food rations, high food prices, problems with the power supply, and the high unemployment rate.

In Basra, protesters claimed that a change in state food rations providing families with money instead of food has left families unable to buy enough food as prices for basic foodstuffs have nearly doubled in recent months.

Protester Abu Nidal told RFI that officials in charge of delivering food rations to poor families have been seen selling the rations in the market. He said such corruption has brought people out to protest.

http://www.rferl.org/content/iraq_protest_lawyers/2305092.html

http://www.rferl.org/archive/news/latest/645/645.html

[smee2]

"We have nothing, we need everything...."

That says it all ... very sad. Terrible way to live.

thanks for the post.

smee2

[Dogmatic1]

And, so it starts....

[billio0]

Yes it does.

Either their leaders respond in a rapid and positive way, or we may never see our own hopes and dreams realized with this country.

To think that all of the effort, money, and blood that has been spent/spilled, and to have it all come to this.

I sincerely hope that it will not be a waste.

[DavidM]

Here WE Go, Either good or Bad its coming...

[imgesing]

I say sit back and watch... As in EGYPT it isnt an over night change, but a slow reforming process.

There is a lot of corruption in that area of the world and has been for a long time. This is a process of seeing a very backward and

often uncivilized society standing up against those who have oppressed themfor a long time. This is one of the best things to hit that area

of the world ever! Finally the people are seeing that the lies are only lies. The evil USA isnt the evil one... They are waking up.

As for IRAQ and our DINAR... Do any of you REALLY BELIEVE

that the world (i.e. all the nations aside from us who helped clean out the crap and risked money and lives) will sit back and allow it to go down the toilet?

NO WAY! We arent in Darfur! Why? OIL? HECK YES! They know it too. But it is so tied up in international bonds, they can not break free and survive!

I am not an expert but I do believe we are all seeing very good stuff going on in the ME! Just try to be patient and watch.

Our RV is coming. Their people are demanding it and they wont have much choice but to give back. The oil they are holding onto will set them all free.

THIS IS PURELY IN MY OPINION. God BLESS America and the people who suffered so long in IRAQ and the ME.

[zul]

Enjoy the ride.....and watch.

i believe this could be the real kickoff to RV.. I hope...the protest doesnt turn bloody

[Nitrobuzz]

The protesting will increase the pressure they're under to get this done. Not slow it down.There's an RV in the oven and the done timer is about to go off! I can smell it!!!!!

[BanG]

Wait, Watch change is coming. Nothing happens at breakneck speeds in the Middle East.

[Slaydadea]

Thanks for putting that out there Rocketman 2010! Mr "O" confirmed it just the other day on one of his Egypt crisis speeches, "We live in an inner connected world", "what goes on affects us all in one way or another".

[Caducues]

We have nothing, we need everything. Solution: set ourselves on fire.

??

Is that a metaphor or is that their solid solution if so then they reeeallly need that education that they are protesting for.

[wildinar]

I sure hope the GOI gets off there A$$ and helps there own people soon.

Pray for them.

[salespro]

Here WE Go, Either good or Bad its coming...

Scary to watch...

[Carrello]

imgesing, I agree with everyhting you stated. I am not sure who is controlling the RV - it is probably a group of financiers across the globe, but Iraq exploding is bad for everyone, except China and Iran.

I also believe (I know nothing - this is what seems to common sense to me) that they will RV high to keep keep foreign investors out, and perhaps it would only be a psychological affect. Only the Chinese and Iran would like to see Iraq get into trouble and take control. And after what we have invested and our appetite for oil, we are not going to let that happen.

Just my two cents.......